Yesterday was a beautiful day here. Still cold, but did eventually get up above freezing. We finally got enough psi to get the hydro going again, so we're off the diesel generator. Jeff said that it really was kind of a good thing that we had those issues now, as it forced him to start & shut down both generators (hydro & Diesel) several times, with no one here to assist, so now he's pretty comfortable w/ them.
We rec'd Ben's math curriculum in the mail on Wednesday, so he was able to start back up w/ math again. And, because of power issues, he's skipped science on Wed, so school was a long day for him on Thursday. I have included a picture here of him reading for school by the big wood stove. That is one of his favorite things.
We also had "visitors" yesterday. First thing in the morning, a whole herd of elk were right behind the ranch on the hillside. I put a couple of those pictures in as well. And, in the afternoon, we had 4 little does right in the yard! We've also seen the otters several days, a resident bald eagle and ducks (Merganzer's I believe).
The horses continue to get out. I would swear they are just testing Jeff's patience. So, he has lots of fencing to do today. Yesterday they pushed against several rails & broken them & have also discovered that the 10' of tape (electric fence) isn't actually electrified, so they just walk through that too. Jeff has been reluctant to put up real fence in that spot as it is where the fence crosses the creek and it will just get washed away when the spring runoff comes. But, I guess he'll have to break down & just do it. We know they aren't doing it because they are hungry - we're feeding them LOTS, but I think it has more to do w/ the little bit of green grass that's starting to come up - even w/ the very cold temps! Now, that is what I all optimism!
Jeff has also been working on equipment - not like big equipment - I mean like washers & dryers & propane heaters. Not only did we run out of propane two different places so he had to relight a TON of pilot lights, but all of the washers & dryers that are here have issues. So, he's been trying to resolve those. We do have one fixed, but i think the others are just hopeless. And, one of the propane wall heaters in the staff quarters won't light. But, he thinks he's getting that nailed down. And, we finally figured out the problem w/ the UPS (not the package delivery - the universal power source - it's like a big surge protector w/ a battery backup) so the webcam is back up & running as well as our phone (or as well as that ever works).
The biggest news for Thursday, was that Jeff walked up to the hot springs. He wanted me to go, but I'm old enough to have learned a few things. I told him to go and see how far it was (he kept saying it's just around the corner from the Mormon Ranch - yeah, right!). And, sure enough, when he returned he said "It's a good thing you didn't go with me!" It was WAY further than he thought! He said that it wasn't real inviting either, but he cleaned it up some while he was there & filled the tub (it is so quintessentially Jeff that he would clean up some random spot that he runs across). So, hopefully it'll be a little nicer for the next people. But, the biggest deal for him was that he saw 4 bull elk - 3 of them 6-points or better. And, he also saw big wolf tracks (of course, he's seen them just up the creek from us too).
The elk are moving down into these lower drainages now - we're wondering if they are preparing to calve. We are kind of excited for that, but also know that it will bring in the wolves. I don't think we can just stand by and watch them harass those new babies. Jeff said we may have to stand guard! We know that isn't really feasible as the elk see us as big of a threat as the wolves, so what can a person really do?
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